Carbonatecyanotrichite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Carbonatecyanotrichite
Formula:
Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O
Colour:
Pale blue
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
2
Specific Gravity:
2.66
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
For the carbonate contents and it's relationship to cyanotrichite
Cyanotrichite Group.
A mineral closely related to Cyanotrichite, but often misidentified (old published X-ray powder diffraction data of both species are unreliable; much improved data were recently given by Hager et al. (2009)).
Although the mineral shows a close relation to cyanotrichite, it is even more closely related to camérolaite.
PXRD and chemical analysis are necessary for a correct identification.
Previously, it was thought that quantitative measurements of the carbonate contents were needed for a correct identification, and that qualitative tests were not conclusive, because cyanotrichite can apparently contain small amounts of carbonate. However, Hager et al. (2009) suggest that there is no evidence for solid solution between cyanotrichite and carbonatecyanotrichite; it is also evident that some carbonatecyanotrichite specimens contain no sulfate. This explains previous contradictory results from PXRD and chemical studies of given samples.
The nomenclature situation is still complicated because the crystal structures of neither mineral is presently known.
Visually similar to Khaidarkanite.
A mineral closely related to Cyanotrichite, but often misidentified (old published X-ray powder diffraction data of both species are unreliable; much improved data were recently given by Hager et al. (2009)).
Although the mineral shows a close relation to cyanotrichite, it is even more closely related to camérolaite.
PXRD and chemical analysis are necessary for a correct identification.
Previously, it was thought that quantitative measurements of the carbonate contents were needed for a correct identification, and that qualitative tests were not conclusive, because cyanotrichite can apparently contain small amounts of carbonate. However, Hager et al. (2009) suggest that there is no evidence for solid solution between cyanotrichite and carbonatecyanotrichite; it is also evident that some carbonatecyanotrichite specimens contain no sulfate. This explains previous contradictory results from PXRD and chemical studies of given samples.
The nomenclature situation is still complicated because the crystal structures of neither mineral is presently known.
Visually similar to Khaidarkanite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
894
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:894:7
IMA Classification of Carbonatecyanotrichite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Cu2+4Al2CO3(OH)12·2H2O
Classification of Carbonatecyanotrichite
7.DE.10
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified
7 : SULFATES (selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates, wolframates)
D : Sulfates (selenates, etc.) with additional anions, with H2O
E : With only medium-sized cations; unclassified
16b.7.7.1
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
16b : HYDRATED CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
7 : Miscellaneous
12.2.7
12 : Carbonates with other anions
2 : Carbonates with sulphate
12 : Carbonates with other anions
2 : Carbonates with sulphate
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Ccya | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Carbonatecyanotrichite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Carbonatecyanotrichite
Silky
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Pale blue
Hardness:
2 on Mohs scale
Density:
2.66(1) g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Carbonatecyanotrichite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.616 nβ = 1.63 nγ = 1.677
2V:
Measured: 55° to 60°, Calculated: 60°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.061
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
strong
Pleochroism:
Strong
Comments:
X = colorless; Z = bright blue.
Chemistry of Carbonatecyanotrichite
Mindat Formula:
Cu4Al2(CO3,SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Carbonatecyanotrichite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.166(6) Å, b = 2.833(4) Å, c = 12.551(6) Å
β = 98.61(4)°
β = 98.61(4)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 3.588 : 1 : 4.43
Unit Cell V:
357.40 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Z = n.d. From Grandview mine.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 10.13 Å | (93) |
| 5.03 Å | (60) |
| 4.21 Å | (100) |
| 3.33 Å | (58) |
| 2.77 Å | (45) |
| 2.51 Å | (52) |
| 2.01 Å | (53) |
Comments:
For type material
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47b : [Sulfates and sulfites] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Carbonatecyanotrichite
General Appearance of Type Material:
acicular crystals to 5 mm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Mining Museum, St. Petersburg, 1396/2–3; Vernadsky State Geological Museum, Moscow, 49844; A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 65618, 65619.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper-bearing deposits
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Carbonatecyanotrichite
Other Language Names for Carbonatecyanotrichite
Relationship of Carbonatecyanotrichite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Cyanotrichite Group:
| Camérolaite | Cu6Al3(OH)18(H2O)2[Sb(OH)6](SO4) | Tric. 1 : P1 |
| Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
| Khaidarkanite | Cu4Al3(OH)14F3 · 2H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 53 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 41 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 29 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 19 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
| 15 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 15 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Antlerite | Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 |
| 13 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Creedite | Ca3Al2(SO4)(OH)2F8 · 2H2O |
| 12 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Chalcophyllite | Cu18Al2(AsO4)4(SO4)3(OH)24 · 36H2O |
| 10 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Native Gold | Au |
| 9 photos of Carbonatecyanotrichite associated with Chalcoalumite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12 · 3H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 7.DE. | Magnesioalterite | Mg2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2O |
| 7.DE. | Fabritzite | Zn9(SO4)2(OH)12Cl2 · 6H2O |
| 7.DE. | Cossaite | (Mg0.5,◻)Al6(SO4)6(HSO4)F6 · 36H2O |
| 7.DE. | Downsite | K2(MoO3)3(SO4) · 4H2O |
| 7.DE. | Liangjunite | K2(Mo2O5)(SO4)2 · 3H2O |
| 7.DE.05 | Mangazeite | Al2(SO4)(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 7.DE.10 | 'UKI-1975-(SO:AlCu)' | (Cu, Al, SO4, H2O) |
| 7.DE.10 | Cyanotrichite | Cu4Al2(SO4)(OH)12 · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.15 | Schwertmannite | Fe3+16(OH,SO4)12-13O16 · 10-12H2O |
| 7.DE.20 | Tlalocite | Cu10Zn6(Te6+O4)2(Te4+O3)(OH)25Cl · 27H2O |
| 7.DE.25 | Utahite | MgCu4Zn2Te6+3O14(OH)4 · 6H2O |
| 7.DE.35 | Coquandite | Sb6+xO8+x(SO4)(OH)x(H2O)1- x (x = 0.3) |
| 7.DE.40 | Osakaite | Zn4(SO4)(OH)6 · 5H2O |
| 7.DE.42 | Alterite | Zn2Fe3+4(SO4)4(C2O4)2(OH)4 · 17H2O |
| 7.DE.45 | Barrotite | Cu9Al(HSiO4)2[(SO4)(HAsO4)0.5](OH)12 · 8H2O |
| 7.DE.45 | Wilcoxite | MgAl(SO4)2F · 17H2O |
| 7.DE.47 | Tiberiobardiite | {Cu9Al[SiO3(OH)]2(OH)12(H2O)6}(SO4)1.5 · 10H2O |
| 7.DE.50 | Bouškaite | (MoO2)2O(SO3OH)2(H2O)4 |
| 7.DE.50 | Stanleyite | (V4+O)(SO4) · 6H2O |
| 7.DE.57 | 'Khangalasite' | Fe(SO4)(OH) · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.60 | Hydrobasaluminite | Al4(SO4)(OH)10 · 12-36H2O |
| 7.DE.62 | Volaschioite | Fe4(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 7.DE.65 | Zaherite | Al12(SO4)5(OH)26 · 20H2O |
| 7.DE.75 | Camérolaite | Cu6Al3(OH)18(H2O)2[Sb(OH)6](SO4) |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Carbonatecyanotrichite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-894.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Carbonatecyanotrichite
Localities for Carbonatecyanotrichite
Showing 109 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Marquez-Zavalia et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
| Márquez-Zavalía et al. (2020) | |
| Márquez-Zavalía et al. (2020) | |
Austria | |
| Blass et al. (2001) +1 other reference |
| Pichler (2009) |
| G.Indra (2012) |
| Blaß (1999) |
| Mikl et al. (2014) |
| Niedermayr et al. (2000) |
| Schnorrer et al. (2000) |
| Kolitsch (2014) | |
| Brandstätter et al. (2010) +1 other reference |
| Kolitsch et al. (2012) | |
| Gröbner (1997) |
| Postl et al. (2003) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2011) |
| Auer (2025) |
| Auer & Postl (2016) |
| Kolitsch (2010) |
| Kolitsch (2010) |
| Gröbner et al. (2012) |
| Kolitsch (2014) |
Canada | |
| Ingelson (1984) |
| Sabina (1972) |
Chile | |
| M. Dini & A.Molina Collections - analysed with quantitative and semi quantitative methods by Dr. Jochen Schluter (curator of Hamburg Mineral Museum) |
China | |
| Niedermayr (2004) +2 other references |
France | |
| Thierry Brunsperger collection |
| T. Brunsperger observations | |
| Mines |
| Forner et al. (1997) |
| P.G. Pélisson (pelisson@inist.fr) +1 other reference |
| Queneau (n.d.) |
| desescaut.jy@voila.fr |
| Favreau et al. (2014) |
Germany | |
| Walenta (1995) |
| Walenta (1995) |
| Schnorrer-Köhler (1988) |
| Henrich (1998) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Blaß et al. (2014) |
| Witzke et al. (2001) |
Greece | |
| Schnorrer et al. (1999) |
| |
Hungary | |
| Szakáll: Minerals of Rudabánya |
Italy | |
| Castellaro et al. (2021) |
| Camarda et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| Matteo Chinelatto | |
| Palenzona A. (1991) |
| Carmagnola et al. (2019) |
| Pipino G. (1980) +1 other reference |
| Bruno Martini collection +1 other reference |
| Ciriotti et al. (2019) | |
| Graeser et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Stara et al. (1993) |
| Stara et al. (1999) |
| Stara P. (1996) |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Stara et al. (1996) | |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Bortolozzi (n.d.) |
| 58. +2 other references |
| Bortolozzi (n.d.) |
| EDX analysis by Italo Campostrini |
| Sabelli C. et al. (1996) |
| C. Buscaroli et al. (1995) +1 other reference |
| Pegoraro S. (2014) | |
Japan | |
| Murakami et al. (2000) |
| Kikukawa et al. (1999) |
| Sakurai & Kato (1970) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Ankinovich et al. (1963) +2 other references |
| Nickel et al. (1991) |
| |
| Pekov (1998) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
New Zealand | |
| Railton et al. (1990) |
Romania | |
| Szakáll et al. (2006) |
Slovenia | |
| Žorž et al. (2002) |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2020) |
| Calvo Rebollar et al. (2022) |
| Xevi Ortiz collection. |
Switzerland | |
| Graeser (1987) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
UK | |
| Ansermet (2007) |
| Natural History Museum film 7431F |
| |
| Green (1995) |
USA | |
| Graeme (1981) |
| Graeme (1981) | |
| Graeme (1993) +1 other reference |
| |
| Colchester et al. (2008) |
| Pemberton (1983) +1 other reference |
| Kepper et al. (2000) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Lincks (1978) |
| Alan R. Plante | |
| Alan R. Plante | |
| Heinrich et al. (2004) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Newmont Mining Corporation |
| Jensen et al. (1995) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Thorne (n.d.) |
| Collection Elmar Lackner |
| Min News 14:10 p 4 +1 other reference | |
| Rocks & Minerals 83:1 pp 52-62 |
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Funtana Raminosa Mine, Gadoni, Nuoro Province, Sardinia, Italy